Laminectomy Spinal Surgery

Laminectomy is a time-tested form of spinal surgery most typically used to correct
pinched nerves
due to structural impingement. This procedure is one invasive option for the treatment of
spinal stenosis
or
spinal arthritis,
but can also be utilized to treat
herniated discs
and various other
spinal abnormalities
when combined with other techniques, such as discectomy or foraminotomy.

Lamina removal procedures were traditionally generally performed as full open
back surgery techniques and were very invasive. The incision would be up to 6 inches long and
there would be complete dissection of all muscles in the affected area. Once the spine was visualized, part of the bone, called the lamina, was removed to reveal the nerve roots. The
facet joints
were trimmed to provide more room for the
nerve roots
to exit from the spine.

Now, minimally invasive forms of the technique are the rule,
since fully open spinal surgery is barbaric, difficult to recover from
and demonstrates far more risks. Endoscopic and laser versions of
lamina removal can be just as effective and are less traumatic to the
patient.

This patient guide provides a comprehensive overview of the lamina removal practices used to treat various spinal diagnoses.

Results of Lamina Removal Procedure

Symptomatic reduction is best achieved in patients suffering from
sciatica
in the legs. Actual
back pain
complaints enjoy less favorable results with this operation. As with
any spinal surgery, the goal is to treat a specific structural issue.
When this issue is indeed the source of pain, then treatment results
will be good. However, being that this operation is geared towards
suspected compressive neuropathy issues, which are the single most
misdiagnosed condition in the dorsopathy sector, results are not always
positive.

Patients recommended for lamina removal procedures are strongly
advised to be sure their diagnosis is correct to avoid going through the
trauma of this surgical nightmare for nothing.

Lamina removal is highly versatile and can be utilized in conjunction with many other surgical practices to resolve a wide range of problematic conditions that exist within the interior of the spinal structures and especially within the central spinal canal itself.

Recovery From Laminectomy

Patients are usually hospitalized for 2 to 3 days after surgery,
although for minimally invasive versions the patient may be able to go
home almost immediately. There is significant physical restriction due
to the large incision in fully open versions. Most patients will have
to restrain from most vigorous activity for 6 to 8 weeks post surgery.
Patients will usually be prescribed
physical therapy
to help them
recover
from the procedure.

In order to increase your chances for positive results and a
speedy recovery, it is crucial to get yourself in good shape and ideal
health prior to the procedure and follow your doctor’s instructions for
aftercare exactly. If a long recuperation period is advised, then
patients must pre-plan time away from work and responsibility in order
to commit themselves to getting better and nothing else.

Lamina removal practices are exceptions in the spinal surgery industry, since most recipients will not have to undergo more than one in a lifetime. This statistic is a refreshing change compared to commonly recurrent operations such as discectomy and spinal fusion.

Risks of Laminectomy Surgery

Lamina removal can always involve significant
back surgery complications.
This procedure is most often performed under general anesthetic and
carries the usual risk of heart attack, embolism, blood clots or
strokes. There is a chance of spinal fluid leak or nerve damage. There is
a considerable risk for loss of spinal stability in the operated
vertebral levels. A spinal fusion
is sometimes performed at the same time, in order to prevent this
occurrence. There is also considerable risk of infection, especially
with such a large incision and multiple levels of tissue dissection.

The worst possible risk by far is the high incidence of
failed back surgery syndrome.
This occurrence is certainly every patient's greatest fears come to life and can doom any patient to a lifetime of intractable pain that is unlikely to respond to subsequent care practices.

As previously mentioned, the most common reason why lamina
removal will not help a patient is misdiagnosis of the theorized source
of pain. Sure, a minor stenosis, disc or arthritic condition may exist,
but these are clinically proven to have little, if any, correlation to
the occurrence of symptoms. A great number of patients undergo surgery
which is never needed, nor targeting the true underlying causation of
pain.

Laminectomy Ordeal

My mother had the fully open version of this procedure in the late 1960's, which left her with horrible scar tissue,
limited mobility and pain that never did go away. She regretted the
surgery and had a long recovery period to regain full functionality. I
have also seen the results of this procedure in many other patients and I am
not impressed. I would recommend that you investigate all possible options before even considering this invasive surgery.

Updated minimally invasive versions of this operation are now
generally available and offer a much preferred path to treatment. The
overall results are not much better, but at least the damage to healthy
tissue is reduced and
rehabilitation
time is faster and less painful.

Laminectomy works best when used in combination with other
surgical techniques and only when performed for strictly defined and
indicated structural issues which have been definitively ruled to be the
exclusive source of suffering. In all other cases, pursuing another
procedure, or better yet, nonsurgical methods of care, might be
preferred.

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